365//365: Day 215 – Rad Racer (NES) [PP]

RPG powerhouse Square Enix had a modest and humbling upbringing. Back on the NES while under the Squaresoft label, they produced some titles that you’d never think they’d have a hand in. Rad Racer was one of those games. A surprisingly solid racing title for its time, your goal was to make each checkpoint within the allowed time, while dodging other vehicles in your path, as well as taking steep turns without driving into the dirt or a sign post. Mechanically, Rad Racer is as tight as it gets for the genre on the NES, with smooth controls, proper acceleration and braking and a feeling of total control when you’re driving….until cars begin to randomly pop into view with no plausible cause. Even with the simplistic graphics and HUD that doesn’t take up that much room on your screen, the draw distance becomes an often problematic situation. Sometimes the vehicles will approach at appropriate intervals in conjunction with your speed, but often enough, they come blitzing towards you with no warning. When approaching an uphill sort of pathway, you’re just about screwed unless you take a blind guess as to what lane you should be driving on. It doesn’t deter enough from the experience to warrant a predominantly negative review though. Outside the weak, nearly non existent music, and the issues with draw distance, Rad Racer is a challenging, yet satisfying racing title. It’s a shame I lost my 3D glasses, so no comment can be made about this feature. As with Pro Wrestling and Kung Fu, Rad Racer is enjoyed in spurts, though you’ll arguably be spending a bit more time per play session on this one than the other two combined.

Those vehicles that suddenly appear right in front of you will drive you insane, but if you're patient and tolerant enough, you'll enjoy your ride down this highway.

Rating: 6.6